Detroit council votes to demolish Michigan Central Depot aka TRAIN STATION

[omgasmurf]

I just had to post this. This is a sad time with this and the Layfette building they want to demolish as well...

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Detroit council votes to demolish Michigan Central Depot, charge owner
David Josar / The Detroit News





Detroit -- The City Council today passed a resolution calling for the emergency demolition of the Michigan Central Depot and then going after billionaire owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun to recoup the costs.

Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. has already put the demolition in his request for federal economic stimulus funds and vowed to go after the building's owner to be reimbursed.

However, council members want to expedite the process.

"We can't wait any longer," said Councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins, who sponsored the resolution. "It's been an eyesore for too long."

Cockrel had asked for $3.6 million for the demolition. Collins said that money could be used for the neighborhoods.

Chimed in Council President Monica Conyers: "He has billions."

The City Council passed the resolution by a voice vote; the opposing tally was from Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel. Councilwoman Brenda Jones, who is hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism, was absent.

The law department will present a report on how the resolution can be enforced when the City Council returns from its spring recess on April 28.

Dan Stamper, a spokesman for Moroun and his companies, did not immediately return a call for comment.

Kenneth Cockrel's press secretary, Daniel Cherrin, said the mayor is proceeding with his plan. He was unsure of a timetable to raze the train station, but said any stimulus project must be shovel-ready in 120 days and completed within 18 months.

"This would happen very soon," he said.

The building has been vacant since Jan. 6, 1988, when Amtrak discontinued using it for rail service. It was purchased by Controlled Terminal Inc., owned by Moroun, for back taxes.

At times, Moroun has said it should be used as a casino and a replacement for Cobo Center, and at one point former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said he had selected the fenced-off compound as the city's new criminal justice facility

[gumby]

Just goes to show what short sighted leadership we have around here.  MCS could be beautiful once again if the city councit would require the Billionaire owner Matty Maroun to spend his money to do something with that building.  It is because of his lack of maintience that it stands in the shape it is (along with the Roosevelt wharehouse where they found the corpsicle in the elevator shaft)  Not to mention his attempt of a hostile takeover of a city park so he can build his second span of the Ambassador Bridge.  No instead of making him spend a tiny portion of his wealth they want to spend 36 million out of the stimulus funds to tear down this historic landmark.  Unfuckingbelievable.

[omgasmurf]

I'm not sure they can do there because:
(1) The building is an historic landmark;
(2) It is federally protected as a railroad site;
(3) It is PRIVATELY owned, and taxes are up-to-date;
(4) The City would need the power of 'eminent domain', and would have to prove public exigency and for the public good; (Good luck on THAT one!)

PLUS, they may be playing right into the negotiations for Matty's new bridge. He will demolish the station when he gets the right to his monopoly. Remember, part of what MM owns is access to the train tunnel to Canada. Ownership of the station has been MM's trump card to prevent use of that tunnel for another crossing. He will demolish the station when there is no threat to his new bridge from the tunnel access. I think MM is enjoying the Council's antics.

[BillyChilly]

Thumbs down.

[dnast]

I hope you're right omgasmurf. MCS is a real gem.

[ZachariahDaMan]

Still there and not going anywhere anytime soon